Brothers Reunited, Tears and Flame

Space rippled faintly, and Xiao Chen's figure silently reappeared in the Xiao Family hall, as if he had merely gone out for a stroll rather than decided the fate of a massive sect in the blink of an eye and crippled a former Dou Zong.

Inside the hall, Xiao Zhan, Xiao Yan, several core elders, Hai Bodong, and the others had been waiting anxiously. When they saw Xiao Chen return safely, without even a speck of dust on him, everyone let out a sigh of relief, only for unparalleled shock to surge through them soon after.

Though they had not been present, the terrifying aura that had swept across heaven and earth before abruptly vanishing, along with the tremor caused by Yun Shan's meteor-like fall, clearly told them that a battle beyond their imagination—or rather, a one-sided crushing—had ended.

"Chen'er, are you all right?" Xiao Zhan hurried forward, looking him over with concern.

"Brother, that Soul Hall..." Xiao Yan also stepped forward quickly, his eyes full of questions.

Xiao Chen gave his father a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Father. It's all settled." Then he looked at Xiao Yan, his tone carrying a trace of ease. "A rat that hid its head and showed its tail has been dealt with. Yun Shan has also paid the price he deserved. As for the Misty Cloud Sect... there is nothing to worry about."

Those casually spoken words sent Hai Bodong and the others reeling. They knew that from this day onward, the skies of the Jia Ma Empire had completely changed! Because of this man's return, the Xiao Family would become an unshakable supreme existence within the empire!

Xiao Chen's gaze swept over the crowd before finally settling on Xiao Yan. Seeing his still-pale face and tattered clothes, a trace of heartache flashed through his eyes.

"Brother Yan, your injuries are serious. Come with me. I'll take a look." As Xiao Chen spoke, he turned to Xiao Zhan and the others. "Father, everyone, I'll take Brother Yan to treat his injuries first. We can talk later."

"Good, good! You brothers hurry along!" Xiao Zhan nodded repeatedly, his face filled with relief as he looked at his two sons.

Xiao Chen gave Hai Bodong and the others a slight nod, then reached out and rested a hand on Xiao Yan's shoulder. The Power of Space surged once more, and the two vanished from the hall in an instant.

The next moment, they appeared in the Xiao Family's rear courtyard, in the room where Xiao Chen had once lived and which was still kept spotlessly clean.

The room was simply furnished, bearing traces of his youth, yet it was now filled with a reassuring atmosphere.

The sudden shift through space left Xiao Yan slightly stunned. He then smiled wryly. "Brother, your methods truly are miraculous."

Xiao Chen smiled without replying, merely gesturing for Xiao Yan to sit on the bed. He extended a finger and lightly pressed it against Xiao Yan's brow. A stream of pure, gentle Dou Qi, carrying an indescribably vast aura, slowly flowed into Xiao Yan's body like a warm brook.

Wherever that Dou Qi passed, Xiao Yan's Meridians and internal organs, damaged by the fierce battle, were repaired and nourished at a visible rate. Even old hidden injuries left behind by past cultivation were quietly smoothed away. What shocked him even more was that this Dou Qi seemed to contain some strange law, faintly deepening his understanding of Dou Qi itself.

This... Xiao Yan's heart churned with stormy waves. He had originally thought his brother was merely powerful, but he had never expected the quality of his Dou Qi and his control over power to be so refined! This was absolutely not something an ordinary Dou Zun could achieve!

"Calm your mind and focus. Guide the medicinal power. I'll help you refine it." Xiao Chen's voice sounded beside his ear, carrying an irresistible confidence.

Xiao Yan hurriedly steadied his mind and cooperated with Xiao Chen's Dou Qi, guiding the medicinal power of the healing pills that had yet to be fully refined within his body. The two complemented each other, doubling the effects.

After roughly the time it took for an incense stick to burn, Xiao Chen withdrew his finger.

Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a breath of foul-smelling air. He felt completely refreshed. His injuries had healed seventy to eighty percent, and his condition was even slightly better than before he had been injured! In disbelief, he moved his limbs and felt the surging Dou Qi within him.

"Brother, this..." Xiao Yan looked at Xiao Chen, his gaze full of complicated emotions: gratitude, shock, and the warmth of having found a solid support.

Seeing the light return to his younger brother's eyes, Xiao Chen finally revealed a truly relaxed smile. He walked to the table and sat down, poured two cups of water, and gestured for Xiao Yan to sit as well.

"All right, there's no one else here now. It's just the two of us brothers." Xiao Chen pushed a cup of water toward Xiao Yan, looking at him gently. "Tell me. How have you lived these past few years? And... what is the story behind that ring on your hand, and the old gentleman inside it?"

The hand holding Xiao Yan's cup trembled slightly. He abruptly looked up at Xiao Chen, his eyes filled with astonishment.

"Brother... you... you know about Teacher?"

"Teacher?" Xiao Chen smiled faintly. "Then it seems my guess was right. Before I disappeared, I vaguely sensed that your ring was somewhat unusual, as though it contained a powerful soul. Now it seems this old gentleman gave you tremendous help during your most difficult times, didn't he?"

The shock in Xiao Yan's heart was beyond measure. His brother had noticed something so early on! He no longer concealed anything, nodding heavily, his eyes full of respect and gratitude toward Yao Lao.

"Yes! Brother, if not for Teacher, I might have long since fallen into despair. There would be no Xiao Yan of today!" Xiao Yan took a deep breath and slowly began recounting his experiences over the past three years. From the fall of a genius, to the humiliation and persistence of three years as trash, to meeting Yao Lao, cultivating once again, devouring Heavenly Flames, participating in the Alchemist Grand Meeting, and making his way to this day...

He told Xiao Chen everything without reservation: Yao Lao's existence, the secret of cultivating the Fen Jue, and devouring Heavenly Flames. It was a trust without reason, one that came from deep within his bloodline.

Xiao Chen listened quietly without interrupting. When he heard of his younger brother being humiliated, his eyes turned cold. When he heard of his younger brother's unwavering perseverance, approval appeared in his gaze. When he heard how Yao Lao had painstakingly taught him and severely damaged his soul to save Xiao Yan, the look Xiao Chen gave the black ring carried sincere respect.

"...That's what happened." After Xiao Yan finished, he let out a long breath, releasing all the oppression he had carried for years.

Xiao Chen fell silent for a moment, then reached out and heavily patted Xiao Yan's shoulder.

"You've suffered, Brother Yan." His voice was somewhat low. "Your brother came back too late."

Xiao Yan's nose stung, and he hurriedly shook his head. "No, Brother. You coming back is the best thing! I... I'm truly happy now!"

The two brothers smiled at each other. Fourteen years of time and estrangement seemed to melt away like ice and snow in that moment.

Xiao Chen turned his gaze toward the black ring and spoke solemnly. "Elder Yao, thank you for the kindness of remaking my younger brother's life. Xiao Chen will remember this debt in his heart. As for the damage to your soul, I will find a way. I will certainly help you recover as soon as possible."

A faint glow flickered on the black ring, and an aged voice, somewhat illusory yet carrying a gratified smile, slowly emerged.

"Hehe, Xiao Yan is truly fortunate... to have an elder brother like you. This old man is Yao Chen. Thank you. But recovery cannot be rushed. As for you... to already be a Seven Star Dou Venerate at such a young age, and even possess a Heavenly Soul Realm soul... truly... the younger generation is to be feared!"

Yao Lao's voice was filled with undisguised amazement. At his peak, he had been a Peak Dou Venerate, with one foot already stepped into the Half-Saint realm. His insight was naturally exceptionally sharp. He could see through Xiao Chen's true strength, and that was precisely why he was even more shocked.

Xiao Chen smiled modestly. "You flatter me, Senior. I merely encountered a few opportunities. In the future, Brother Yan will still need much of your guidance."

"Haha, that is only natural. This brat is this old man's final disciple!" Yao Lao laughed, his tone full of satisfaction with Xiao Yan.

Seeing his brother and teacher getting along so well, the last trace of worry in Xiao Yan's heart finally vanished. He felt an unprecedented sense of ease and warmth.

His brother had returned. There truly was someone to hold up the sky for him now.

And he, Xiao Yan, would walk beneath this broader sky alongside his brother, toward a more distant future!